[Federal Register: September 15, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 179)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 54446-54448]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr15se06-18]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2006-25581; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-41-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; EADS SOCATA Model TBM 700 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the
products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an airworthiness
authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe
condition on an aviation product. The proposed AD would require actions
that are intended to address an unsafe condition described in the MCAI.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 16,
2006.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
DOT Docket Web Site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov
; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD
docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any
comments received, and other information. The street address for the
Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is in the ADDRESSES section.
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gunnar Berg, Aerospace Engineer, FAA,
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4141; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Streamlined Issuance of AD
The FAA is implementing a new process for streamlining the issuance
of ADs related to MCAI. The streamlined process will allow us to adopt
MCAI safety requirements in a more efficient manner and will reduce
safety risks to the public. This process continues to
[[Page 54447]]
follow all FAA AD issuance processes to meet legal, economic,
Administrative Procedure Act, and Federal Register requirements. We
also continue to meet our technical decisionmaking responsibilities to
identify and correct unsafe conditions on U.S.-certificated products.
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2006-
25581; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-41-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD because of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov
, including any personal information you provide. We will
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency, which is the airworthiness
authority for the European Union, has issued Emergency AD No. 2006-
0226-E, Issue date: July 21, 2006 (referred to after this as ``the
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The
MCAI states that the aircraft manufacturer has identified an unsafe
condition resulting from an incomplete thermal treatment done on three
hinge pin batches lowering their mechanical properties with a high risk
of deformation under service loads. If not corrected, the nose landing
gear (NLG) hinge pin may rupture and cause an uncommanded NLG
retraction.
The MCAI requires that you first identify the concerned NLG, and
second, detect the defective hinge pins on aircraft or on shelves and
replace them with new ones. You may obtain further information by
examining the MCAI in the docket.
Relevant Service Information
EADS SOCATA has issued TBM Aircraft Alert Service Bulletin SB 70-
147, ATA No. 32, dated July 2006. The actions described in this service
information are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in
the MCAI.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant
to our bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, they
have notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and
service information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because
we evaluated all information and determined the unsafe condition exists
and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type
design.
Differences Between the Proposed AD and the MCAI or Service Information
We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable in a U.S. court of
law. In making these changes, we do not intend to differ substantively
from the information provided in the MCAI and related service
information.
We might also have proposed different actions in this AD from those
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are
described in a separate paragraph of the proposed AD. These proposed
requirements, if ultimately adopted, will take precedence over the
actions copied from the MCAI.
Costs of Compliance
Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD
would affect about 256 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that
it would take about 2 work-hours per product to do the action and that
the average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Required parts would cost
about $1,025 per product. Where the service information lists required
parts costs that are covered under warranty, we have assumed that there
will be no charge for these costs. As we do not control warranty
coverage for affected parties, some parties may incur costs higher than
estimated here. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the
proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $303,360, or $1,185 per product.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
subtitle VII, part A, subpart III, section 44701, ``General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges FAA with promoting
safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship
between the national Government and the States, or on the distribution
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the proposed
regulation:
1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order
12866;
2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and
3. Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 14
CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
EADS SOCATA: FAA-2006-25581; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-41-AD
[[Page 54448]]
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments on this proposed airworthiness
directive (AD) by October 16, 2006.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to all Model TBM 700 airplanes fitted with
nose landing gear (NLG) part number (P/N) 21130-001-02 with serial
numbers (S/N) B168 through B173 and S/N EUR 174 through EUR 239,
that are certificated in any U.S. category.
Reason
(d) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
states that the aircraft manufacturer has identified an unsafe
condition resulting from an incomplete thermal treatment done on
three hinge pin batches lowering their mechanical properties with a
high risk of deformation under service loads. If not corrected, the
NLG hinge pin may rupture and cause an uncommanded NLG retraction.
Actions and Compliance
(e) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, unless
already done, do the following except as stated in paragraph (f)
below.
(1) Verify the NLG serial number to determine its eligibility to
this AD. If the NLG S/N is not listed in the applicability paragraph
of this AD, no further action is required.
(2) For airplanes with the applicable NLG S/N, apply the
operational procedure as indicated in paragraph A of the
accomplishment instructions of EADS SOCATA TBM Aircraft Alert
Service Bulletin SB 70-147, ATA No. 32, dated July 2006. This can be
done by inserting into the airplane flight manual, the EADS SOCATA
TBM Aircraft Alert Service Bulletin SB 70-147, ATA No. 32, dated
July 2006.
(3) Identify the pin batch number as instructed in paragraph B
of the accomplishment instructions of EADS SOCATA TBM Aircraft Alert
Service Bulletin SB 70-147, ATA No. 32, dated July 2006. For
airplanes with the correct pin batch numbers, no further action is
required. Return the airplane to service as instructed in EADS
SOCATA TBM Aircraft Alert Service Bulletin SB 70-147, ATA No. 32,
dated July 2006.
(4) For airplanes with pins from the defective pin batch numbers
or for which the batch number is unreadable, do all the actions as
instructed in paragraphs B 5), C, and D of the accomplishment
instructions of EADS SOCATA TBM Aircraft Alert Service Bulletin SB
70-147, ATA No. 32, dated July 2006.
(5) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install
on any EADS SOCATA Model TBM 700 airplane, any NLG actuator hinge
pins coming from the three defective batches identified as EUR BC
21344-000-01, EUR BD 21344-000-01, and EUR BF 21344-000-01 on NLG
part number 21130-001-02.
FAA AD Differences
(f) None.
Other FAA AD Provisions
(g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
Standards Staff, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, ATTN: Gunnar Berg,
Aerospace Engineer, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4141; facsimile: (816) 329-4090, has the
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
(2) Return to Airworthiness: For any requirement in this AD to
obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use
these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are
considered FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design
Authority (or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the
product is airworthy before it is returned to service.
(3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information
collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-
0056.
Related Information
(h) This AD is related to European Aviation Safety Agency
Emergency AD No. 2006-0226-E, Issue date: July 21, 2006, which
references EADS SOCATA TBM Aircraft Alert Service Bulletin SB 70-
147, ATA No. 32, dated July 2006.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 11, 2006.
David R. Showers,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E6-15332 Filed 9-14-06; 8:45 am]
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